Sharon HolyPhotography Blog

A Senior Session with Unique Poses

When scheduling senior sessions, I like to learn more about the senior and if they’re involved in any extra curricular activities or sports that they want to incorporate in their session. Although Lake Catholic senior, Maggie is involved in many sports and activities such as cheerleading, lacrosse and snow boarding, she really wanted to highlight her love of yoga. I was so inspired by Maggie’s passion for yoga, that I knew I had to share her story.

Dancer “Natarajasana”

Maggie is a full of live, spunky, fun-loving young lady who always has a smile on her face. She’s always very energetic so it was fun to see this more zen side of her. I have to admit, beyond the downward dog, I don’t know much about yoga but absolutely loved learning more through this session and photographing Maggie in her yoga poses. We decided to take the pictures by a small boat/canoe dock on a gorgeous fall evening. Maggie definitely turned a few heads when she spread her yoga mat on the doc and got into her poses!

Maggie’s answers to my questions were so perfectly written that I decided to share them in a Q&A format. Her confidence, knowledge, passion and eagerness to share her story are evident in each of her answers. I know she’ll inspire you as she inspired me!

Plank “Chaturanga”

Q: How long have you been doing yoga and what inspired you to get started?

I have been doing yoga since I was twelve years old. I started doing yoga when the volleyball club I played for opened a connecting studio in their gym.

I was inspired to do yoga because it’s a great way to reconnect with yourself. It’s kind of like organizing your brain. In yoga, a big thing is cleansing your chakras. Your chakras are the centers of power in your body, ascending through your crown to your root. They each have a special purpose and you cleanse them by meditating and by doing poses to open them up. During yoga, I set in an intention to breathe in something good, and breathe out something bad. This helps me feel less stressed in class, and in my everyday life.

Q: Do you do yoga at a particular time of the day and how many times per week? What is your yoga workout schedule?

Any time of the day is a great time to do yoga! I personally love to start or end my day doing yoga. If you start your day on a good note, its most likely you’ll have a good day! I also love doing it at night because you get to sort through your mind and go to bed relaxed. I even do my homework on my yoga mat to feel less stressed. I try to attend yoga classes at least twice a week, but I meditate and do some sun salutations almost every night for at least an hour.

Q: What is your favorite yoga pose?

My favorite pose is a three legged downward dog, the proper name for it is Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana. It’s a great stretch in the body, it elongates the spine and makes me feel taller than 5’0!

My favorite style of yoga depends on what mood I’m in! When I’m looking to relax my body and mind I look to Yin, it’s more of a meditative class. When I’m looking for a workout I do Power Vinyasa. It makes me feel so empowered and strong.

Extended hand to big toe pose “utthita hasta padangusthasana”

Q: Do you have a favorite place to do yoga?

My favorite place to do yoga is at my favorite studio, Chagrin Yoga, or in my bedroom, aka “my zen den”. I love being in the studio because everybody flows together and it’s such a cool thing to see. Being alone is also cool because I get to try things in my most comfortable state. I also love doing yoga outside because it makes me feel as if I’m one with nature.

Q: Do you listen to music when doing yoga or do you prefer it to be quiet?

Music is a must for me while doing yoga! If it’s a power class, I love loud powerful music. Sometimes a little bit of rap even gets in the mix! If I’m doing more of a flow that day, I’ll go on a lighter side and listen to some instrumentals or indie rock.

Q: How does yoga make you feel?

Doing yoga makes me feel a lot of things. It makes me feel strong and empowered, like I could conquer the world. Some days it just makes me feel less stressed and more relaxed. More of a ready for bed mood!

Sirsasana

Q: Have you changed your eating habits and have you noticed a change in your body, either physically or mentally, since you committed yourself to incorporating these changes into your lifestyle?

When I started to get serious about yoga and lifting, I tried to eat more wholesome foods with a lot of nutrients. I stopped eating fast/greasy food and started eating more power foods to fuel my energy.

I definitely noticed a physical difference in my body with a combination of weight training and yoga. I got more lean and muscles began to show!

The mental difference I feel with yoga is insane. It’s a blessing that yoga is such a big part of my life because I would be crazy without it!

Q: What advice would you give anyone who is thinking about starting yoga?

For anyone who wants to get started in yoga, just go! A yoga studio is a judge-free zone and everyone is there for the exact same reason. I always hear “I’m not flexible enough”. Yoga is so much more than flexibility and you need to attend a class to find that out! I would recommend to go to a slow-flow or basics class before attending a power one!

I have a whole Pinterest board based off of yoga quotes. My favorite has to be “Just always be the better person. And make your intentions pure. What and who you are is what you’ll attract, what you’ll maintain. Pain is inevitable and will always exist, but if you focus on understanding what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling it, you will overcome it.”

Maggie’s smile and positive energy was radiant throughout the session…even when I asked her to stand on her head on the edge of a floating, rocking, hardwood dock! I hope you’ll find her energy is conveyed through the pictures I captured. Maggie is right, it is really easy to say “we don’t have time” but if Maggie can do it with her busy schedule, we all should be able to. After all, each and every one of us is worth setting aside a little time to help us be the best we can be, mentally and physically!

Maggie said she’s really happy we included doing yoga in her session because its something she loves doing and wanted to showcase that to others! Maggie plans to get her yoga certification this summer through Chagrin Yoga so she can start sharing her passion with others.